
Here we are again with another year passed and 20 more songs to present to you as our choices for the best songs of 2012.
2012 was definitely a very hectic year that was full of so. much. music. So much that at points it became overwhelming but thankfully it’s just about over so we can start the process all over again!
Just like every year, the selections were made based on 3 main criteria:
1. Replay Value – how many times did you replay the song over and over?
2. Longevity – how long did the song last before you got sick of it?
3. Lyric Reciting – do you know all of the lyrics?
With these criteria in mind, below is Hillydilly.com’s top 20 songs of 2012. If we missed anything or we’re way off on some of our selections let us hear it in the comment box below.
“White Walls” starts off auspiciously with Mack rapping about his affection for Cadillac’s over a crescendoing beat. When the beat finally drops, Hollis soars in on the chorus and turns this track into a MONSTER. Mack follows up the epic chorus with double time raps over the thumping combination of richter scale bass and ass shaking percussion. “White Walls” is a instant classic and truly rings out to me as the best song in 2012.
- ►II

2. Oddisee
Ready To Rock
Oddisee's debut album has been many years in the making since we first heard him break into the scene in 2004 with the production on Kenn Starr's debut single, "If". After the initial introduction to Oddisee only on the production tip, he finally released his debut mixtape, Foot In The Door, in 2006 that showcased the duality of his skills on the mic and beat making. From 2009-2011 Oddisee released impressive instrumental projects and a collaborative album with his group Diamond District — they all received critical acclaim. But now in 2012 the time has finally come for Oddisee to release his debut solo album, People Hear What They See. Right from the get go, a wave of shivers took me over when the lead off track, "Ready To Rock", blasted into my ears. This song personifies the absolute innate ability Oddisee has to create mind blowing beats. "Ready To Rock" is easily going to be one of the best tracks of 2012. Once you have listened to "Ready To Rock" 15 times and got over the initial shock of how good it is, you will be able to move on to the next song. As you continue to move through "Do It All", "That Real" & "Let Go", it will begin to sink in that this album is going to have a great replay value. Track 5 - "American Greed" continues to up the ante with a feverish synth lines, knocking drums, pulsating horns and raps on the greed we find in this world. Oddisee raps:
"when George Bush took the oil from the soil, I was in front of the counter buying some milk, from the Arabs, in the land of honey, I order fries from Chinese surviving off of whats in the foil, gallon of gas, 2% it's the same price, so it seems to the villain goes the spoil"The back half of the album rounds out with the great tracks, "Way In Way Out", "The Need Superficial" & "You Know Who You Are" When it's all said and done it's not hard to "see" that People Hear What They See is going to be one of the best hip-hop releases this year. The album drops on June 5th. Pre-order HERE. Check the highlights below. Stream the entire album over at SPIN magazine HERE.
"Welcome to the newest edition of what you've been missing"
originally posted in:Oddisee - People Hear What They See
Whenever you hear a song for the first time that instantly gives you goosebumps, you know it’s going to stick with you. With “Ready To Rock” it’s impossible to not listen to this track and not get completely hype. This is one of those songs that you can never get sick of. The beat that Oddisee provides on “Ready To Rock” is beyond epic; it’s the equivalence of musical bliss and perfection. The second verse on this track is mind blowing — how he can rap that fast, make sense of it and keep the subject matter within the theme of the song is unbelievable. Oddisee is one of the best rappers is the world and “Ready To Rock” is the best example of this so far.
When a song can change slang and culture from rap lyrics, you know that it’s much more than just another rap song. Besides “Ya Bish” being the most memorable part of this song on the surface, it’s the writing that really makes this song a huge standout. You will remember Kendrick’s chorus on this one for the rest of your life. It go Halle Berry or hallelujah… see it’s already in your head.
- ►II

4. Sol
2020
Yours Truly is Sol's salvo to the world of music; it's the best debut album I have heard in a long time. Sol has the seldom seen ability to mold words & subjects that we all hold important in life to create concise and expressive songs that beautifully mash together. As Sol has said, Yours Truly has been 23 years in the making and through this life long dream, the music has now seen its fruition in the very very good album, Yours Truly. Beyond the quality of production and vocals is the quality of sound on Yours Truly. Before the release of Yours Truly, Sol ran a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the mixing and mastering of Yours Truly. That money was definitely well spent because the quality of these recordings speaks volumes and only pushes the appreciation you will have for this album even further. For the production on Yours Truly, Sol kept it local (Seattle/Portland), by enlisting the talents of Budo, Jake One, Neema Skeemz, Jacks Green + many more. The production on Yours Truly does not contain one single beat that I am not fond of. This album is massively impressive on all fronts. Frankly I am quite blown away and will be enjoying this album on the daily for the next significant amount of time. Grab this album on itunes right NOW! Physical copies are available HERE. Hit up Sol on Facebook HERE.
originally posted in:Sol - Yours Truly
By the time “2020″ dropped we were all sold on Sol because by then “Stage Dive” was already released and we were all loving that. Then he dropped “2020″ a couple weeks before ‘Yours Truly’ and then from there on out it was a wrap. Led by the super clean production of Neema Skeemz, “2020″ is Sol’s masterpiece. Chances are pretty good you can rap this song word for word. Sol’s writing on “2020″ is memorable, admirable and resonates on you as the true reflection of a man who was destined to write rap songs. Life is what you make it, you can give it you can take it, or you can waste it chasing bitches or listening to what I’m saying…
“Ten Thousand Hours” is a celebration. I have been listening to Macklemore for a long time (no that doesn’t make me special) and have been lucky enough to be apart of his career in small regards so this song to me is a celebration of what has happend to Macklemore in the last few years. It’s a “Yes we fucking made it” (from his point of view, NOT MINE) kind of song that makes you stretch your arms out and breathe a sigh of relief. Ryan’s production on this one fits perfectly. A lived for art is never a life wasted….
- ►II

6. Sol
Paint
Yours Truly is Sol's salvo to the world of music; it's the best debut album I have heard in a long time. Sol has the seldom seen ability to mold words & subjects that we all hold important in life to create concise and expressive songs that beautifully mash together. As Sol has said, Yours Truly has been 23 years in the making and through this life long dream, the music has now seen its fruition in the very very good album, Yours Truly. Beyond the quality of production and vocals is the quality of sound on Yours Truly. Before the release of Yours Truly, Sol ran a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the mixing and mastering of Yours Truly. That money was definitely well spent because the quality of these recordings speaks volumes and only pushes the appreciation you will have for this album even further. For the production on Yours Truly, Sol kept it local (Seattle/Portland), by enlisting the talents of Budo, Jake One, Neema Skeemz, Jacks Green + many more. The production on Yours Truly does not contain one single beat that I am not fond of. This album is massively impressive on all fronts. Frankly I am quite blown away and will be enjoying this album on the daily for the next significant amount of time. Grab this album on itunes right NOW! Physical copies are available HERE. Hit up Sol on Facebook HERE.
originally posted in:Sol - Yours Truly
“Paint” had to be one of the easiest songs to love in 2012 because every time that vocal sample dropped a wave of excitement always rushed over you instantly because you knew for that two minutes and forty seconds that it was going to be great. With references to Bob Ross and letting you know to don’t ever waste your life, “Paint”, is a track that will forever resonate as one of 2012′s best.
- ►II

7. Diafrix
I'm A Dreamer ft. 360 (prod. by Styalz Fuego)
Diafrix have a breakthrough album on their hands with Pocket Full Of Dreams and its massive, massive production from heralded producer Styalz Fuego, who handles production duties on the majority of the album. Unlike Diafrix's debut album, Pocket Full Of Dreams has the kind of pop-sensibilities to give it the chance to be welcomed by more than just hip-hop or reggae heads. PFOD takes on the themes of the reflective & down to earth raps from Azmarino & Momo who inject their life experiences of being immigrants growing up in Australia and all the situations they faced growing up. While Azmarino & Momo might keep the subject matter grounded, the superior production soars to incredible heights all over this album and is anything but grounded. It's the best of both worlds and will have this album getting heavy replay value for a lengthy amount of time. One of the albums highlights, "I'm A Dreamer" is one of those songs that is going to be stuck in your head and will warrant plenty of listens. Listen to it and the other selected highlights below. You can also stream the entire album below, it drops on September 28th!. Pre-order Pocket Full Of Dreams HERE.
originally posted in:Diafrix - Pocket Full Of Dreams
Diafrix one upped everyone else in 2012 and gave us the best ‘feel good song’ of the year, with “I’m A Dreamer”. When you have one of the best pop crossover producers on the planet providing an immaculate beat like this, it becomes a normal occurrence to play this song over and over. “…I live my life, live my life to the fullEST, I walk around all peaceful like a budIST.”
- ►II

8. Childish Gambino
Shoulda Known (prod. by Childish Gambino)
Coinciding with the day of independence in America, Childish Gambino, drops his highly anticipated new mixtape, R O Y A L T Y. On the mixtape you will find vocal features from RZA, Ghostface Killah, Beck, ScHoolboy Q, AB-Soul, Bun B, Danny Brown — and production from Boy-1da, Myke Murda, skywlkr & Ludwig. Grab the entire tape HERE. Check out the highlights below.
originally posted in:Childish Gambino - R O Y A L T Y
“Shoulda Known” is a slightly ominous track with minimalistic production and low key demeanour — so seeing this song on our year end list might surprise you, but hear me out. On “Shoulda Known” it was all about Childish Gambino’s delivery. With memorable line after memorable line, Donald was absolutely captivating on this. “Shoulda Known” was a shoe in for this list.
“Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” was another huge record in 2012 for Kendrick Lamar and is also arguably one of Kendrick’s most impressive songs on GKMC. The bridge in this song fucking nuts. Its one of those songs that just glues you into the vibe. “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” cements Kendrick as one of the best rappers alive today.
- ►II

10. RAC
Hollywood ft. Penguin Prison
RAC (Remix Artist Collective) aka André Allen Anjos is known for being one of the better remix ppl in the game right now, but after today he will no longer be considered just a great remix DJ. He has now stepped up his game and released his first official song, "Hollywood", that features vocals from Penguin Prison's Chris Glover. The song is a guaranteed hit. Listen and download below.
originally posted in:RAC - Hollywood (featuring Penguin Prison)
For pop hits in 2012, it’s hard not to argue that RAC’s collaboration with Penguin Prison was one of the years best in that department. With catchy hooks, lucrative melodies & memorable lyrics, this track is the kind of song radio should be playing.
- ►II

11. Disclosure
Latch ft. Sam Smith
The UK production duo, Disclosure, just released their new single, "Latch", to iTunes today that sees them link up with Sam Smith who provides them with sultry vocals over this slow burning downtempo masterpiece. Check it out below. If you live in the UK, grab this one now.
originally posted in:Disclosure - "Latch" feat. Sam Smith
The sky rocketing UK production duo, Disclosure, gave us the best song in 2012 to get HELLA down on the dance floor with. The vocal blast on chorus is body possessing good. Singer Sam Smith has definitely arrived with the vocal performance he dropped on this one. Although this song came out a few months ago, it’s still on steady replay.
- ►II

12. Major Lazer
Get Free (feat. Amber of Dirty Projectors)
"Get Free" is the new track from Diplo and Switch as they join forces as Major Lazer to create this soothing jam with Amber Coffman of The Dirty Projectors. With prancing synths and pulsating rhythms, "Get Free" is a tantalizing piece of music that may just undress your consciousness and leave you stuck within the music. Download and listen below.
originally posted in:Major Lazer - "Get Free" ft. Amber Coffman
“Get Free” was the Summer anthem of 2012 and it was a song that got better with each listen. The amalgamation of beautiful sounds on this one was orgasmic. It makes me wish I had this song when I was younger during the “mushroom phase” — oh my!. Originally when I posted this I said “Get Free is a tantalizing piece of music that may just undress your consciousness and leave you stuck within the music”. I don’t think I can top that description.
- ►II

13. Chiddy Bang
Breakfast
Chiddy and Xaphoon Jones have finally released their debut album after much anticipation over the past two years. In that short amount of time the duo has amassed a huge following online and also saw them ink a deal with EMI. Breakfast was originally slated to be released on Feb 28th, but in favor of the fans, the duo has released the album a week ahead of the original date. Check out a few of the easy standouts from the album below and then proceed to grab this album right now!
originally posted in:Chiddy Bang - Breakfast
With Chiddy Bang’s debut album, it was the title track (“Breakfast) that took home the title for being the best track off the album. The big reason behind that was the mega-ultra-filthy beat from Xaphoon Jones who slayed dragons with this one. Mornings with Lucky Charms will never be the same again. “LETS HAVE BREAKFAST“.
Was it the video? Was it the thrift store steez? Naw it’s just that guy Macklemore making smash radio hits and taking over music on the whole. No big deal here. Actually “Thrift Shop” was arguably one of the years best singles across all genre’s of music. “This is fucking awesome”
- ►II

15. Ghost Beach
Been There Before
Ghost Beach are on to something with "Been There Before" because when you listen to it there are multiple instances where you become engaged by the song's melodies and cadences. If this song came on the radio I would be happy. Head on over to Ghost Beach's website and you can grab this song for free. Stream it below.
originally posted in:Ghost Beach - Been There Before
Ghost Beach took over most of the Summer with their soaring single “Been There Before”. When your music is described as tropical grit-pop you know its going to be bad ass and indeed it was. “Been There Before” receives the grit from singer, Josh Ocean, the pop from the 80′s synths and the tropical comes from Eric Mendelsohn’s hair. The fact that this song isn’t on the radio right now just shows you how out of touch these labels and radios are. To me this is a hit song, no question.
“Swimming Pools” was the lead single for GKMC and instantly set the tone for what was to be a very good debut album that would go on to sell 240k copies in it’s first week. Kendrick displays his immaculate gift for rapping with the 2 verses on this one.
Just when you think Macklemore couldn’t get anymore honest, he goes and writes this one. The crazy thing about “Starting Over” is that not many people around him even knew about his relapse and actually found out from this song. With the driving force of honesty & a beautiful chorus from Ben Bridwell, “Starting Over” is a encapsulating song that evokes heavy emotion.
- ►II

18. K'naan
Nothing To Lose ft. Nas
"More Beautiful Than Silence" is K'naan's brand new EP that was released today. It features 5 new songs with vocal features from Nas & Nelly Furtado. The new EP is hopefully a pre-cursor to a new album because 5 songs won't be enough after you let this EP sink in. With choruses like we find on "Nothing To Lose", you will be struck with the addiction to replay this one. Nas' verse is pretty damn filthy as well. Take a listen to some of my favorites below and proceed to grab this on itunes.
originally posted in:K'naan - More Beautiful Than Silence EP
K’naan’s biggest mark on 2012 was not left by his 4th album, Country, God or the Girl, it was left by “Nothing To Lose” from his More Beautiful Than Silence EP that dropped back in January. With an unforgettable chorus and a timeless verse from Nas, “Nothing To Lose” was one of 2012′s best.
“Thin Line” is another great pop sensible record from The Heist. With a sing along chorus and relatable content, Macklemore displays his hit writing abilities once again with another song that could be played on the radio.
- ►II

20. Diafrix
Running It
In 2012 Australia's Diafrix will be releasing their follow up to 2009's, Concrete Jungle. 'Running It' is the first single from the new album, Pocket Full Of Dreams, that will be released on June 29th, 2012. Take a listen to the sure-fire hit below that will instantly strike you, as all great songs do. Running It will be available worldwide on iTunes, March 9th
originally posted in:Diafrix - Running It (single)
2012 was a breakout year for Diafrix and what kicked it all off for them was the debut single, “Running” that set the tone for what was to be their superb sophomore album, Pocket Full Of Dreams.






